Background:

The aging process is often accompanied by a decrease in muscle mass and muscle strength, whereas the loss of muscle power much greater is than that of muscle mass. One possible reason for this loss of quality is due to age-related changes in the structure and composition of intramuscular connective tissue (IMCT), which is responsible for the transmission of muscle power inside the muscle. Currently used training therapy approaches do not contain any specific stimuli for selective stimulation of the IMCT.

Project aims:

The aim of this project is to compare the potential of different forms of training, to provoke cell renewal of the IMCT in lower limb muscles in seniors. We intend to develop a new and innovative training program that will allow better training success in the treatment and prevention of age-related muscle weakness through the targeted stimulation of IMCT. We expect that jump training in combination with strength training causes greater strength gains than conventional strength training alone.

Duration: 02.01.2019-01.01.2022

Project management:

Priv.-Doz. Dr. Robert Csapo (PI): Private University for Health Science, Medical Informatics and Engineering, Department for Sport and Alpine Medicine and Health Tourism; contact: robert.csapo@umit.at

Assoz. Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Barbara Wessner (Co-PI): University of Vienna, Department of Sport Science, Sport and Exercise Physiology; contact: barbara.wessner@univie.ac.at

Assoc. Prof. MMag. Dr. Alexandra Graf (Statistik): Medical University of Vienna, Department for Medical Statitics; contact: alexandra.graf@meduniwien.ac.at

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